Emergency Radiology: Organizational Models in Swiss and Nordic Hospitals

BACKGROUND: Emergency radiology (ER) has evolved into a distinct subspecialty over the past four decades, yet its organization varies across healthcare systems. This study aimed to assess the structure and practice of ER in Switzerland and four Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden) through a collaborative survey between the Swiss Society of Emergency Radiology (SSER) and the Nordic Forum for Trauma and Emergency Radiology (NordTer). MATERIALS AND METHODS: An on-line survey was sent to radiologists in charge of ER in 50 public hospitals (10 in each country). The survey addressed ER structure, staffing, imaging access, on call-organization and radiologists' main concerns regarding ER. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze categorical responses. RESULTS: Forty-seven hospitals responded (94%): 10 from Switzerland and 37 from Nordic countries. Overall, 81% institutions had dedicated CT for ER (Switzerland 90%, Nordic 78%), and 51% had dedicated emergency radiologists, more common in Swiss (80%) than Nordic hospitals (43%). In 76% hospitals, on-call neuro-CTs were interpreted by the ER team (60% Swiss, 80% Nordic hospitals). A pediatric radiology team was present in 59% of hospitals, 70% Swiss and 56% Nordic. Access to 24/7 emergency MRI was reported in 58% hospitals, more frequent in Swiss (80%) than Nordic ones (51%). The main concerns in both Swiss and Nordic hospitals were increased workload, on-call coverage, and specific training in ER. CONCLUSION: Swiss and Nordic hospitals share similar challenges in ER but differ in infrastructure and staffing models. These data may provide a benchmark to assess further evolution of ER.